Best Bar-End Mirrors

Bar-end mirrors replace stock stalk-mounted mirrors with a cleaner, more integrated look that complements the stripped-down cafe racer cockpit. They thread or expand into the open ends of clip-on handlebars or standard bars, sitting at the outer edge of the grip area. Quality bar-end mirrors need to resist vibration without buzzing into uselessness, provide an adequate field of view for safe riding, and maintain their position without slipping or rotating from wind pressure at speed.

Premium Bar-End Mirrors

Rizoma Spy-R

Rizoma is an Italian manufacturer of premium motorcycle accessories, and the Spy-R is their bar-end mirror. CNC-machined from solid aluminum billet with an anodized finish, convex glass for a wide field of view, and an articulating joint that allows precise adjustment. The Spy-R is the benchmark for bar-end mirror quality — the machining is beautiful, the mirror stays where you set it, and the vibration resistance is excellent. Available in black, silver, and various anodized colors. Premium pricing ($$$) reflects the materials and manufacturing quality. Rizoma Spy-R on Amazon · Rizoma Spy-R on eBay.

CRG Arrow

CRG (Constructors Racing Group) produces the Arrow bar-end mirror that is widely used in sportbike racing and cafe racer builds. Billet aluminum construction with a folding design — the mirror folds flat against the bar end for parking in tight spaces or lane splitting. Convex glass, smooth articulation, and the folding mechanism are the standout features. The Arrow is slightly more compact than the Rizoma, which some riders prefer for a tighter cockpit profile. CRG Arrow on Amazon · CRG Arrow on eBay.

Motogadget M-View

Motogadget’s M-View mirrors are part of their comprehensive minimalist controls ecosystem. CNC aluminum, ultra-slim profile, convex glass. The M-View series includes models with integrated LED turn signals in the mirror housing, which further reduces cockpit clutter by eliminating separate turn signal stalks. The integrated turn signal versions are especially popular with builders going for the absolute cleanest bar setup. Motogadget products are consistently among the highest quality in the custom motorcycle market. Motogadget M-View on Amazon · Motogadget M-View on eBay.

Mid-Range Bar-End Mirrors

BikeMaster Bar-End Mirrors

BikeMaster produces decent bar-end mirrors at a mid-range price point. CNC aluminum construction with convex glass and a ball-joint adjuster. The build quality is a step below Rizoma and CRG, but the mirrors hold position adequately and provide a reasonable field of view. Available in round and teardrop profiles. A solid option for riders who want better-than-budget quality without premium pricing. BikeMaster mirrors on Amazon · BikeMaster mirrors on eBay.

Budget Bar-End Mirrors

Generic CNC Aluminum Mirrors

Budget bar-end mirrors are available from multiple manufacturers for very little money. The quality varies significantly. Common issues include loose ball joints that do not hold position at highway speeds, poor-quality expanding plugs that do not grip the bar end securely, flat rather than convex glass (narrower field of view), and vibration that renders the mirror useless above moderate speeds. Some budget mirrors are perfectly serviceable for city riding. The risk is unpredictable quality control. If you buy budget, order from a seller with a return policy and test the mirrors at the speeds you actually ride. budget bar-end mirrors on Amazon · bar-end mirrors on eBay.

Mirror Glass: Convex vs Flat

Convex glass curves outward, expanding the field of view so you can see more behind and to the side of the motorcycle. This wider view comes at the cost of making objects appear smaller and further away than they actually are — a tradeoff that requires calibration of your distance judgment. Flat glass provides an accurate representation of distance and size but shows a narrower field of view. For bar-end mirrors, convex glass is generally the better choice because the mirror is already in a less optimal viewing position compared to stalk-mounted mirrors, and the wider field of view compensates for the angle.

Installation Tips

Most bar-end mirrors use an expanding plug system: a rubber or aluminum plug inserts into the open end of the handlebar tube, and tightening a bolt expands the plug against the inner wall of the bar. This requires the bar end to be open (some clip-ons and stock handlebars have closed ends or bar-end weights that must be removed). Measure the inner diameter of your bars to verify compatibility with the mirror’s expansion range. Apply threadlocker (medium strength, like Loctite 243) to the mirror’s adjustment bolts to prevent vibration-induced loosening. After installation, ride at various speeds and check that the mirrors hold their set position — if they drift or rotate under wind pressure, the expanding plug is not gripping with enough force.

Vibration Resistance: The Critical Factor

The single biggest complaint about bar-end mirrors is vibration blur — the mirror image shakes so badly at certain RPMs that it becomes unusable. This is primarily a function of how securely the expanding plug grips the inside of the handlebar tube and how well the mirror's articulating joint dampens vibration transmitted through the bar. Premium mirrors (Rizoma, CRG, Motogadget) use precisely machined expanding plugs and tighter joint tolerances that resist vibration better than budget alternatives. Some mirrors include rubber isolators or O-rings in the mounting system that decouple the mirror body from the bar vibration. If you are experiencing vibration blur with your current mirrors, try wrapping a thin layer of rubber tape around the expanding plug before reinstalling — this can improve the grip and add damping. Bar-end weights on the opposite end of the handlebar from the mirror can also reduce overall bar vibration that contributes to mirror blur.

Legal Requirements

Mirror requirements vary by jurisdiction. Most US states require at least one mirror — some require two. European regulations typically require two mirrors for road-legal motorcycles. Bar-end mirrors satisfy these requirements as long as they provide adequate rearward visibility and are securely mounted. Some jurisdictions specify minimum mirror area or reflective surface dimensions. Check your local vehicle code before committing to a mirror setup, especially if you are running a single bar-end mirror for aesthetic reasons. During a vehicle inspection (required for registration in some states and countries), the inspector may check mirror presence, mounting security, and visibility. Ultra-small or novelty-sized mirrors that provide minimal actual rearward visibility may not satisfy inspection requirements even if they are technically present.

Mirror Position and Adjustment

The correct adjustment for a bar-end mirror shows the road behind you, a sliver of your arm or shoulder (for reference), and as much of the adjacent lane as possible. Because bar-end mirrors sit lower and further outboard than stalk-mounted mirrors, the viewing angle requires a downward and outboard glance rather than a level rearward look. This takes a few rides to adjust to. Set the mirrors while sitting in your normal riding position on the bike — not while standing next to it. The riding position changes the angle of your eyes relative to the mirrors significantly. After setting the mirrors, ride at various speeds and verify that the image remains useful. Wind pressure at speed can push poorly secured mirrors out of alignment, requiring readjustment.

Choosing Between Round and Teardrop Profiles

Bar-end mirrors come in two main shapes: round and teardrop. Round mirrors are the classic choice — they match the circular visual language of vintage speedometers, headlights, and gauge faces. Teardrop mirrors are more aerodynamic and often provide a slightly wider field of view because the elongated mirror surface extends the visible area horizontally. The teardrop shape also catches less wind at speed, which helps maintain mirror position on bikes with higher vibration. For cafe racers where every visual element contributes to the overall design language, the round profile is more cohesive with the vintage aesthetic. For sportier neo-retro builds, the teardrop can look more purposeful. Both shapes are equally functional — the choice is purely aesthetic once you have verified adequate mirror area for rearward visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions